X. Shuyi
Qing Tong said: "Jixiu Palace? Which goddess resides there? The palace gates are locked at the You hour, and guards patrol everywhere. How did you come to my Gan Zhi Palace? Speak quickly! Otherwise, I will call the guards to capture the assassin!"
Zhou Chenghuan gently said after a while: "I miss home..." In an instant, her eyes turned red again, and she quickly lowered her head to hold back her tears, sniffing before continuing: "It always rains here, but it’s not like that at my home. The grassland at my home is so vast, and right now, it’s the season when the neighboring families are receiving their lambs. Those cows and sheep are all giving birth in groups, and the ground is filled with the bleating of little lambs! The sky is so blue, and the sea is also blue. When evening comes, the sunset is bright red, and it’s so big!" The grassland at my home is so vast, and right now, it’s the season when the neighboring families are receiving their lambs. Those cows and sheep are all giving birth in groups, and the ground is filled with the bleating of little lambs! The sky is so blue, and the sea is also blue. When evening comes, the sunset is bright red, and it’s so big!
The Crown Prince called out: "Oh dear, Li Fei, hurry in. I told you that if you didn't come, there would definitely be no chance. My brother and your brother are completely different!"
Qing Tong said in a deep voice: "Stop!" The girl turned pale with fright.
A sound of footsteps came from outside, and the first person, a youth around 18 or 19 years old, called out from a distance: "Princess! Princess!" The voice of the boy, who was at the age of voice change, sounded like a duck. He approached and, without knocking, directly pushed the door open and entered.
The Crown Prince smiled and said: "Since that is the case, let's help each other with today's homework! I will bring you some delicious food later!"
Qing Tong saw that Li Fei was in an exceptionally good mood, and the Crown Prince could no longer get angry no matter what he said. She gave the Crown Prince a slight disdainful glance; although they were bickering, her tone was even gentler: "Shut up, you just want me to help you with your homework!"
Qing Tong comforted, "Go back, there have never been any guards here. You can still find opportunities to visit me in the future! In fact, I also wish to have someone to keep me company." Zhou Chenghuan nodded earnestly, "I will definitely come!" He walked away, turning back three times.
Crown Prince Road: "Imperial Sister, in ten days there will be a major examination. Could you help me see what topics the Grand Tutor will choose? The questions you selected last time were spot on!"
The princess often says such things; although she is shy, they are pleasing to the ear. After hearing them frequently, she has grown bolder and casually scolded him a couple of times before asking, "What is all the commotion about?" At this age, who isn't curious? She hasn't been able to go out for several years, and her heart has grown restless; upon hearing the words "commotion," she immediately perked up.
Qingtong illuminated her with a lantern and noticed that the tears on her face had not yet dried, yet her eyes were very pure, not at all resembling those of a deceiver. In this imperial palace, Qingtong had never seen such innocent eyes, and she felt a surge of affection for her, softly saying: "Are you really Zhou Shuyi?"
Qing Tong furrowed her brows and said, "Here we go again, I am not a worm in the belly of the Grand Tutor. What will you do if I don't get selected!" As she spoke, she still picked up the window curtain, her eyes involuntarily glancing towards the Crown Prince behind her.
Qing Tong jumped down and wiped the sweat from her brow, saying: "Your Highness, what brings you to me again?"
Zhou Chenghuan looked at Qing Tong with some suspicion, and Qing Tong did not urge her, merely gazing at her gently
Qing Tong blushed slightly and said: "What nonsense are you talking about! You choose for yourself, I won't get involved."
He did not shy away from the two people beside him: "The Western Zhan Kingdom is inherently stronger than our country, and in recent years it has become increasingly aggressive, frequently infringing upon our borders. The only force in the court capable of countering them is General Zhou's Dingyuan Army. The Emperor must both increase their troops and also seek to win them over." Qing Tong understood in her heart that such political marriages have always been common in every dynasty; there are already several in the palace now, which is nothing new, and she has lost interest.
Taizi Road: "General Zhou's daughter from Dingyuan entered the palace, and as soon as she stepped through the palace gates, she was exceptionally granted the title of Shuyi! It is said that three years ago, my father the Emperor wanted her to enter the palace, but unfortunately, on the day the imperial decree arrived, her mother passed away. She has been in mourning for three years. Now that her mourning period has just ended, my father the Emperor calculated the days and brought her here without delay. I truly wonder what kind of beauty she is!"
On that day, the Crown Prince left and did not have the time to come over, only a young eunuch took away the homework. Since then, Qing Tong has not seen him for more than three months, and it is said that he injured his leg while practicing archery and horseback riding
The blue-eyed one felt sorrow for her; once she entered the palace, it was as deep as the sea, and she would never have the chance to see such beauty again. After a long while, she finally spoke: "Your Highness, did you sneak out at night without anyone seeing? Do you know martial arts?"
The Crown Prince was somewhat annoyed: "Where did I speak nonsense? This matter is known to Li Fei as well. Li Fei, three years ago, did the Emperor not issue an edict summoning this Zhou, Zhou something, into the palace?"
The girl hurriedly said: "Yes, yes! If you don't believe me, go to Jixiu Palace tomorrow and ask. There are four palace maids in Jixiu Palace, as well as many eunuchs and matrons; they all know me!" She paused for a moment and added: "But could you please not tell them that you saw me coming out at midnight? I know it was wrong, and I won't dare to do it again next time."
Zhou Chenghuan said: "I was raised in the countryside since I was young and couldn't learn Mandarin; my brother speaks so beautifully." The two girls chattered for a long time until dawn was approaching, and Qing Tong said: "Lady Shuyi, you should hurry back; it would be troublesome if someone sees you."
Those who are fond of the beauties of Jiangnan may say that the appearance of the one with azure eyes is overly striking, lacking a certain subtle grace, and does not qualify as a true beauty that could topple a nation. However, that visage cannot be overlooked; it intrudes upon your sight unbidden, and even the most discerning cannot help but feel their heart race upon seeing it
As summer draws to a close, the annual "Autumn Offense" is once again imminent, and Emperor Jing symbolically visited the Jixiu Palace for two days. Zhou Chenghuan adorned herself with several pieces of jewelry, looking quite presentable. With the rise in favor, various rumors and jealous whispers began to circulate. Qing Tong repeatedly reminded Zhou Chenghuan to be cautious, but she merely looked at Qing Tong in confusion, not understanding what she needed to be careful about. Moreover, as Zhou Chenghuan gained favor, people in the palace started to pay attention to her, and she and Qing Tong dared not meet easily. Qing Tong's sixteenth year passed in solitude.
The girl quickly nodded: "I just can't sleep, so I came out for a walk. It's so quiet here, without any guards watching. I just sat for a while. I sneaked out, and no one knows. Can you please not tell anyone? I will go back soon."
Qingtong was taken aback; this little girl was thin and not at all pretty. Qingtong looked at her hesitantly: "Your Highness Shuyi? Are you alone?"
Qing Tong was very reluctant: "Are you leaving?" If the Crown Prince is not present, a foreign minister like Li Fei cannot remain in the imperial harem
It seems that I am one year younger than you
Qing Tong stepped forward and asked, "Which palace are you from? What are you doing here in the dead of night?"
The Crown Prince deliberately coughed: "Ahem, what are you looking at? Li Fei has not arrived."
From then on, this week, Cheng Huan would secretly come to Gan Zhi Palace to talk to Qing Tong every few days. Seeing her so idle, Qing Tong also knew that she must be neglected. Thus, in the forgotten corners of the palace, the two little girls spent many warm nights together
The Crown Prince called out: "Stop looking, you can't leave Fei, hurry up and help me choose a topic! At worst, I will keep him here for you to see as much as you want! Look at me with a stern face, and look at him with a beaming smile. Who was it that risked everything to secretly bring you books when Father Emperor forbade you from studying back in the day?"
The little girl stammered, "The Jixiu Palace is where I live, I am Lady Zhou ... ... Shuyi. I am not ... ... not an assassin, please don't call for help!"
Taizi Dao: "I will bring him back tomorrow. Oh, I say, Imperial Sister, you should grow up quickly. In a year, I will request permission to marry you to him, and then you won't have to cling to me every day. But today, there is excitement to see, so let me go for now, and I will tell you all about it later."
I... I am from Jixiu Palace, I... I will just sit for a moment and then leave. Ah, no! I will leave right away!" Her speech was unexpectedly marked by a strong Northwest accent.
She has already turned sixteen, and there is nothing left to conceal her beauty. The radiance of her youth is mixed with a hint of lingering innocence, and her snow-like complexion accentuates her eyes, which shine like the stars in the night sky. This beauty is grand, noble, and complete; it is also bold, passionate, and striking.
Zhou Chenghuan's eyes immediately turned red: "I... I don't want to leave. No one else talks to me except you. Everyone else hates me..."
She gestured with her hand, her bright eyes sparkling with light, but soon dimmed: "Father said that once we enter the palace, we are not allowed to express our longing for home, but I miss Father, and I also miss my brother..."
Qingtong said softly: "Your Highness Shuyi, do not be afraid, I am the Seventeenth Princess, you can call me Qingtong. Let me sit with you for a while, why are you crying?"
Qing Tong smiled and said, "Is this how people speak where you are from?"
"Your Highness, please do not say that." Li, without knocking, had already entered the room. He appeared as a young man, tall and slender, with well-groomed eyebrows and bright eyes. Qing Tong felt that his light blue spring shirt today made him look as warm and charming as a spring breeze, and her eyes could not help but be glued to him, unable to move away.
With azure eyes and a sense of ennui, she gazed out at the palace gates day after day. One night, unable to sleep, she heard a rustling sound outside. When she donned her clothes and stepped out to investigate, she saw, under the dim moonlight, a small figure sitting on a large stone at the gate, shoulders heaving as she wept sorrowfully. Noticing that the figure was a girl of similar age, she treaded lightly and approached slowly. She believed she was silent, yet the girl suddenly turned to look at her, and upon seeing her, hurriedly stood up to leave.
In the warm spring of March, the Gan Zhi Palace is filled with the vibrant spirit of spring. Qing Tong is climbing high, diligently wiping the window frame. She works hard, a drop of sweat hanging precariously at the tip of her nose
With her green eyes flushed, she secretly glanced at Li Fei, noticing that his face was also adorned with a rosy hue, which filled her heart with great joy
Qingtong asked: "How old is she?"
Zhou Chenghuan felt a bit shy: "I only know a little, it was my brother who taught me. My father hired many people to teach him martial arts, but he wouldn't let me learn. My brother secretly taught me; his martial skills are excellent, and he is always the strongest on the battlefield! This time, my father sent me to the palace, and my brother even fought with him." She paused for a moment: "Qingtong, you have so many siblings, but I only have one brother."
Pah! She is only fifteen now, so three years ago she was just twelve? At twelve, the Emperor wanted to bring her into the palace? Nonsense! You can't even fabricate a good lie. Even if she is beautiful, how could a twelve-year-old girl be famous for her beauty?
Zhou Chenghuan gently said, "There is indeed such a matter, but I have not heard whether she is beautiful or not"